Student Volunteers Provide Free Tax Assistance

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VITA

For more than 40 years, student volunteers have provided free tax filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The service is provided by Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor organization for financial information students and professionals and supervised by Truman graduate teaching research assistants and accounting faculty. Certified by the IRS, volunteers for VITA are often accounting majors. This activity is a great opportunity to put classroom learning into action while meeting a community need.

In the past five years, VITA has filed more than 1,600 returns for refunds totaling over $400,000. Those with a gross income of under $67,000 are eligible for the service. More information about making a VITA appointment is available here.

Alumni Spotlight – Greg Bellville (’07)

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Greg Bellville Greg Bellville, a 2007 Truman grad, is currently the Vice President of Mission at Make-A-Wish Iowa. The Make-A-Wish Foundation aims to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. As Vice President, Bellville plays an important role in advancing the foundation’s goals and encouraging volunteerism. In addition to his service through Make-A-Wish, he has spent time volunteering to coach basketball and football, as well as an interscholastic mountain bike team. Bellville has served on several boards and committees, including the St. Catherine of Siena Parish Council, Central Iowa Trail Association and boards and committees for child abuse prevention.

Bellville studied psychology during his time at Truman, earning his Bachelor of Science. He also spent time involved with Dobson Radio. He received Truman’s Echo 25 in 2023, an award that recognizes 25 outstanding alumni under the age of 40.

Bellville and his family aim to visit all of Iowa’s State Parks and rank them in a database. They enjoy any activity that gets them outside: camping, mountain biking, hiking and snowboarding. He gets much of his motivation from his children. Bellville encourages current and future Bulldogs to never stop trying to improve themselves, and says that leaning into your strengths is a vital part of personal growth.

Alumni Spotlight – Vanessa Alexander (’16)

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Vanessa Alexander

Vanessa Alexander (’16), director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, received the 2025 Distinguished Community Service Award for the Kirksville area from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission. Alexander studied Sociology and Anthropology during her time at Truman, also serving as a Multicultural Affairs student intern and a participant in the Minority Ambassadors Program.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission holds a statewide celebration annually to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy through community service projects. Alexander worked with local partners to coordinate several events for the Kirksville, ATSU and Truman community in celebration of Dr. King: a showing of the movie Till, a day of community service, a speaker honoring King’s legacy, and an art and essay contest for K-12 students. The festivities concluded with a community dinner that included discussion, a keynote interactive speech from Alexander, a musical performance of A Change Is Gonna Come by two Truman students, and an awards presentation for the winners of the art and essay contests.

Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series Features Exonerated Death Row Inmate

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The Sun Does Shine

Anthony Ray Hinton will be speaking on campus on March 26 at 6 p.m. about his experiences being held on death row for 28 years for a crime he did not commit. Part of the Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series, Hinton will be on campus on March 26 at 6 p.m. In conjunction with his visit, a variety of true-crime related activities are happening on campus throughout the day. A forensic science activity, a talk on serial killers by Sal Costa and a “Tru Crime” escape room will be featured. Most experiences are geared toward prospective students, but community members, current students and alumni are all invited. Prior to Hinton’s visit, there will also be a book club held to dig into his book, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row. An Oprah’s Book Club Selection, The Sun Does Shine is available in print, e-reader and audiobook formats. Alumni are welcome to participate in this book club, with virtual and in-person discussion options available. There will be more information about groups and meeting times available soon.

Donations Support Student Research and Travel

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One thing that sets a Truman education apart is the opportunity for undergraduate research that creates high-impact experiences, significantly broadening students’ horizons. Alumna Calaneet Balas (’97) valued experiences like this during her time at Truman, emphasizing that attending and presenting at research conferences had a significant impact on her academic development. She established the Health and Exercise Sciences (HES) Experiential Fund to ensure that today’s students also have access to similar experiences in the hopes that it will positively shape their futures and better prepare them to make a difference in the world around them.

HES Experiential Fund Trip
Students travel to Washington DC thanks to donor provided funds

In October of 2024, the HES Experiential Fund was used to support a trip of Health Science and Public Health Education students to Washington D.C. led by Drs. Carol Cox and Rolena Stephenson (’01) to attend the Society for Public Health Education Advocacy Summit. The Summit provided a learning environment for all levels of knowledge and experience, and students learned advocacy skills from national experts to enhance their confidence. In addition to educational session participation, students presented their research projects and advocated on Capitol Hill, covering topics such as youth advocacy and the use of social media as a tool for health advocacy. Balas also hosted the group at a dinner where she shared her legislative advocacy experiences over her career.

Alumni Spotlight – Kirsten Bernthal Booth (’97)

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Kirsten_Bernthal-BoothKirsten Bernthal Booth has been head coach of Creighton University women’s volleyball team since 2002. She is a three-time National Coach of the Year and is responsible for turning Creighton’s program into one of the best volleyball teams in the United States. Bernthal Booth has an impressive 500 career wins at Creighton.

A 1997 communication graduate, Bernthal Booth had an impactful time at Truman. She was the 1993 MIAA Freshman of the Year, as well as the 1996 MIAA Most Valuable Player. She was also the first Truman player to earn all-conference honors in all four seasons. In addition to her achievements in Volleyball, earning her a spot in the Truman State University Hall of Fame in 2011, Bernthal Booth was also a part of the Student Senate, as well as being a Student Ambassador.

Bernthal Booth took Creighton University Volleyball to the 2024 NCAA tournament once again, making it to the Elite Eight. The team at Creighton has now been to 13 of the last 14 NCAA tournaments under Bernthal Booth’s leadership. The 2024 season was the most successful in Creighton Volleyball history with a 25-match win streak.

Alumni Spotlight – Mark Taggart (’95)

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Mark TaggartMark Taggart (’95) graduated from Truman State University with his degree in Business Administration. During his time here, Taggart was a member of Blue Key, Alpha Phi Sigma, Big Brother/Big Sisters and served as a Residence Life advisor. He is now the chief financial officer for Toyota Material Handling North America, president of Raymond Leasing, chairman of Toyota Industries Commercial Finance U.S., chairman of Toyota Industries Commercial Finance Canada and chairman of Toyota Industries Lease Mexico.

Taggart served as Truman’s next Bentele/Mallinckrodt Executive-in-Residence November 20-21. Made possible by a gift from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, the endowment enables the Truman’s School of Business and Professional Studies to select one outstanding individual from business and industry each semester to spend two to three days on campus. The time they spend on campus includes a special emphasis on how the executive handles unique challenges in a “real world” setting. Taggart’s time on campus included discussions with students, both in and out of the classroom.

Kohlenberg Lyceum Series Features Vienna Boys’ Choir

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Vienna Boys' ChoirThe world-famous Vienna Boys’ Choir will take the stage at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in Baldwin Auditorium for the next installment of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

Based in Austria, the Vienna Boys’ Choir is composed of sopranos and altos between the ages of nine and 14. They perform for nearly 500,000 people each year. The ensemble is a modern-day descendant of the boys’ choirs of the Viennese Court dating back to the late Middle Ages. This performance will include Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, Christmas hymns and holiday carols. For six centuries, these young singers have been adored the world over for their lively style and beautiful tone.

The Lyceum Series is fully funded through the University Foundation and tickets for the 2024-25 Kohlenberg Lyceum Series are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, the Friends of the Lyceum. Gifts to the Lyceum Series Fund support one of the University’s oldest traditions and continue to bring extraordinary performances to Truman’s campus each year.

For more information about the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, visit lyceum.truman.edu or contact the Advancement Office at 660.785.4133 or LyceumSeries@truman.edu.

Alumni Spotlight – Jules Price (’14)

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Jules PriceJules Price is a 2014 graduate of Truman State University, with her BS in Linguistics and Psychology. During her time at Truman, she worked as a Student Advisor, a Community Coordinator, as well as being a part of the Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, and the dance group TSODA.

As of July 2024, Jules has served as the St. Louis Chapter Representative on the Alumni Board, and prior to that the St. Louis Alumni Chapter Vice President. Currently, Jules works as Assistant Manager at The Resale Shop, NCJWSTL.

Jules also has a love for photography, travel, reading, yoga, and hiking, as well as being a member of the Missouri Botanical Garden and a season ticket holder at the Muny.

Jules shares the advice that it is important to ask for help when you need it. As a transfer student, she had a rough time out of state prior to coming to Truman. It is a journey learning to ask for help, and Jules emphasizes wanting to normalize seeking assistance in everything, including mental health and skill building.

Local Lowdown – FLATS Half Marathon

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FLATS Half Marathon

The fourteenth annual Forest Lake Area Trail System (FLATS) annual half-marathon is coming up on October 5, 2024. The 13.1 mile course features gorgeous views, trekking from the Thousand Hills State Park Marina along the shores of Forest Lake. The course finishes at beautiful Jackson Stables, the site for a post-race celebration. The race is a fundraiser for the Forest Lake Area Trail System. With the help of volunteers, FLATS is responsible for much of the maintenance of the trails in Thousand Hills State Park, preventing overgrowth and keeping them clear for public use.

Established in 2016, FLATS is a non-profit organization with the mission of developing a multi-use trail between the city of Kirksville and Thousand Hills. Formed by a volunteer group of citizens, FLATS is working closely with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Thousand Hills State Park, The National Park Service, the City of Kirksville, Adair County, area service organizations and the Kirksville community to develop plans for this trail. The long-term goal is to show the community that Thousand Hills is closer than you think.

Beyond raising funds to continue trail projects, the FLATS half-marathon serves as an opportunity to have fun outdoors, learn about yourself and get physical activity. Trails also have an important role in a community by drawing people into the community from out of town.

The FLATS half-marathon is a fantastic opportunity for alumni to return to Kirksville and join the community for a good cause. You can still sign up for the race and find more information about it at http://www.kvflats.org/events/